Finance Manager

Job description

About VITALITE

VITALITE is a high-growth, clean-tech company providing home solar systems and appliances to customers in Zambia without access to electricity. Founded in 2013, VITALITE was the first to pioneer off-grid solar home systems on a loan-to-own model in Zambia, which allows families to afford reliable electricity and life-changing appliances that can drastically improve their lives.  Over 1 billion people in the world lack access to electricity, and we believe that access to electricity should be a right for everyone, everywhere.  Today, we serve over 75,000 customers in Zambia with energy solutions, through 30 shops and 300 community-based agents.

According to an independent survey of our customers (run by impact reporting agency, 60 Decibels), 88% find we’ve very much improved their quality of life.

What’s it like to work here?

We have built a vibrant and dynamic team in which all of us are treated fairly and given equal opportunity to progress;
We work in an emotionally safe environment within which we all have the opportunity to `fully express ourselves;
Everyone is encouraged to create a positive impact for themselves, their colleagues, and our customers by taking full accountability for what we do every day.

According to an independent survey (run by global gender advisory firm, Value for Women);

94% of team members feel respected by their colleagues
97% of team members like our mission and purpose
86% of team members believe men and women have equal career opportunities
94% of team members believe issues of sexual harassment are taken seriously here
89% of team members believe we encourage open and honest communications

About The Role

We are seeking an experienced Finance Manager to support financial operations and oversee financial planning, budgeting, and reporting for Vitalite Zambia while ensuring compliance with local tax regulations and company policies. They will play a crucial role in supporting business growth, maintaining financial health, and collaborating. Reporting to the CFO with a dotted line to the Managing Director of Zambia, the ideal candidate will have a strong sense of ownership and accountability with extensive finance experience in partnering with the senior leadership team.

Key Responsibilities:

Financial Reporting & Compliance:

Ensure timely preparation and review of financial reports and management accounts, proactively, communicating issues arising from monthly and quarterly reporting.
Engage continuously with the Corporate Controller to ensure an in-depth understanding of internal control requirements and external reporting standards.
Ensure compliance with relevant legal and regulatory requirements, including tax laws, and lender / shareholder obligations. Support internal audit activities as part of the corporate risk management process.
Lead local annual audit, and support lender and investor requests.

Staff Supervision & Capacity Building:

Supervise finance staff and support continuous capacity-building initiatives.
Provide mentorship and training to strengthen financial management capabilities within the team.

Cash Flow & Payment Oversight:

Oversee cash flow management to support routine and annual financial commitments.
Review payments to ensure proper documentation and adherence to internal controls.
Review journal entries to confirm accuracy and appropriate supporting documentation.

Financial Planning & Budgeting:

Support the financial planning and budgeting process, including both proposal and institutional budgets.
Take the lead in looking for opportunities for efficiency and building up lean value added processes.

Accounts Payable:

Oversee the end-to-end A/P process including invoice approvals, vendor payments, and reconciliations.
Maintain relationships with vendors and ensure timely payment cycles.
Review and process employee expense claims in line with company policies, and build out expense tracking procedures.

Payroll:

Ensure accurate and timely salary disbursements, including bonuses, deductions, and statutory contributions.
Perform monthly payroll reconciliations between HR records, payroll reports, and the general ledger to ensure accuracy and resolve discrepancies.
Maintain confidentiality and integrity of employee compensation data.

Qualifications & Requirements:

Minimum of 5 years of experience in financial management or accounting with strong experience in partnering with the management team.
A minimum bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Finance, ACCA,ZICA,CIMA , or a related field is preferred.
Strong knowledge of local tax laws and compliance regulations.
Proficiency in financial software and accounting tools. Experience in implementing new accounting information systems
Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
Experience working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment

If this position sounds like a good fit for you, please submit your cover letter and CV. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Kindly reference the job title  your application.

VITALITE is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from qualified individuals regardless of race, religion, national origin, or disability.

VITALITE does not charge any fees on recruitment.